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hooves
    drowned out the strain in his voice.
    At a later time, Dakota would think back on the way
    64
    God moved to rescue him on this evening, but right now
    he just knew relief at how solicitous the hotel proprietress
    was, how swift she was to volunteer her son to take their
    horses to the livery, and how Darvi told Dakota she was
    going to eat in her room and turn in early. He fell into bed
    the moment he shut the door and dropped into unconsciousness
    for the next ten hours.
    5"9r-3-
    Not
    feeling what anyone would term "brand new,"
    Dakota was nevertheless at the breakfast table in a timely
    manner and not looking as pale as he felt. Darvi joined him
    just ten minutes after he sat down, and Dakota found himself
    feeling somewhat thankful that she had not seen him
    nearly swallowing his food whole. He was calmly sipping
    coffee when she arrived.
    "I'll just have a quick bite," she explained and smiled at
    the waitress when she glanced their way.
    "Don't hurry on my account," Dakota said, meaning it
    65
    with all his heart. He'd used the powder again and tried to
    patch the wounds, but the job was middling at best
    "I think we're only a half-day's ride now."
    Dakota nodded before asking, "How do you know this
    friend, by the way?"
    "She used to Uve in Austin. We played together every
    summer I visited." Darvi paused. "I certainly hope she's
    home."
    "She's not expecting you?"
    "No. We never kept in touch through the mail, and I
    didn't even know she'd moved until I arrived in Austin."
    They fell silent for a moment, and then Darvi looked at
    her companion.
    38 lori wick
    "Did you hear any screams out your window last
    night?"
    Dakota could have told her he didn't even remember
    lying down but only said no.
    "I did/' Darvi said. "It sounded like a woman was
    66
    receiving some unwanted attention. I nearly went out to
    check."
    This statement stopped Dakota's coffee cup on the way
    to his mouth.
    "Tell me, Darvi/' Dakota said, putting the cup down, his
    voice mildly curious. "What would you have done?"
    "If I'd gone out?"
    "Yes, and if the unwanted attentions had been turned
    on you?"
    "With or without my gun?" she asked in all sincerity.
    Dakota couldn't stop the smile that turned up one
    corner of his mouth, but he still managed, "With your
    gun."
    "I'd have shot him in the foot."
    Again Dakota wanted to smile but refrained.
    "And without your gun?"
    "I'd have tried to reason with him, and if that hadn't
    worked, I'd have screamed myself hoarse and tried to
    fight"
    "If s good to have a plan," Dakota said softly, all the
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    time trying to process whether this woman was safe on her
    own or not
    You never know what's going to happen with Darvi.
    Brace's words from the morning before came floating
    back to him. Dakota would have enjoyed some time to
    think on them, but Darvi was pushing her plate away.
    Within 15 minutes, they were back on the trail.
    r$"'$tillwater
    was a surprise. A dean, friendly-looking
    town that sat in the foothills, it was a good deal cooler than
    A Texas Sky 39
    Austin. Since Darvi had not known of her friend's move,
    Dakota assumed she also did not know where this friend
    lived, but he kept his mouth shut and let her lead the way.
    She took them straight to the general store.
    "I'll just be a minute," she said before dismounting and
    going inside.
    Watching her confident stride, Dakota realized that
    68
    Darvi must have wanted to make this journey on her own.
    He knew Brace well enough to know that man would not
    have even discussed it, but Darvi was clearly no stranger
    to being in charge. Nor did she appear timid in new surroundings.
    In the middle of these thoughts, Darvi reappeared. She
    climbed back into the saddle and turned to him, her eyes
    alight with excitement.
    "We're almost there."
    Dakota smiled at her glowing face and said, "Lead on."
    The directions Darvi received took them toward the
    edge of town. She hadn't been in as much of a hurry today,
    but now she stepped up the pace.